The art of Altamira was preserved until modern day primarily due to its hidden location. The Altamira cave, where the art is located, was discovered in 1868 by Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola, who recognized the importance of the paintings. However, in order to protect the cave and its fragile artwork, it was closed to the public for over a century. This limited human access and helped preserve the paintings from vandalism, pollution, and damage caused by visitors. Additionally, the cave's natural environment, including its stable temperature, humidity, and lack of light, played a crucial role in the preservation of the artwork. Advances in technology, such as the development of artificial lighting that mimics the natural light conditions, also contributed to the successful preservation of the art.
